சேலம் மாவட்டத்தின் வரலாறு

தமிழகத்தின் 5வது பெரிய நகரான சேலம் தமிழகத்தின் வட மத்திய பகுதியில் அமைந்துள்ளது. கொங்கு மண்டலத்தின் கிழக்கு எல்லையில் அமைந்துள்ள சேலம் ஒரு வணிக மையம் ஆகும். சேலம் 

மாம்பழத்திற்கு பெயர் பெற்ற இடம். இதனால் இதனை 'மாங்கனி நகரம்' என்றும் அழைப்பார்கள். மலைகள் சூழ்ந்த மாநகர். மாம்பழமும், பச்சரிசியும் இந்த நகரின் பெயரைச் சொன்னவுடனேயே நம்

நினைவுக்கு வந்து, நாவை நனைக்கும். பாக்சைடு கனிமம், லாரிகட்டுமானம், இரும்புத் தொழிற்சாலை என பல சிறப்புகளைக் கொண்ட நகரம்.  மலை சூழ்ந்த நாடு என்பதைக் குறிக்கும் சேலா, ஷல்யா

என்ற சொற்களில் இருந்து தான், சேலம் என்ற பெயர் உருவானது. வடக்கே நாகர் மலை, தெற்கே ஜீரக மலை, மேற்கே காஞ்சன மலை, கிழக்கே கொடுமலை என நாற்புறமும் மலை சூழ்ந்த எழில்

நகரம். ஏற்காடு, சேர்வராயன் மலை, மேட்டுர் அணை, சங்ககிரிக் கோட்டை என சுற்றிப் பார்க்க வேண்டிய இடங்கள் ஏராளம்.

சேலம் என்ற சொல் 'சைலம்' மற்றும் 'ஷைல்ய' என்னும் சொல்லில் இருந்து பிறந்ததாக கூறப்படுகிறது. 'சேலம்' என்றால் 'மலைகள் சூழ்ந்த இடம்' என்று பொருள்.

இவ்வூரில் உள்ள மலையைச் சேரன் ஆண்டதால் சேர்வராயன் மலை ஆயிற்று; அது போலச் 'சேரலம்' என்பது 'சேலம்' ஆயிற்று என்றும் கூறுவர். ஏத்தாப்பூர் செப்பேடு இவ்வூரைச் 'சாலிய

சேரமண்டலம்' எனக் குறிப்பிடுகிறது. எனவே, சேரலம் என்னும் பெயரே காலப்போக்கில் திரிந்து சேலம் என வழங்கப்பட்டது. சேலம் மற்றும் கோவைப் பகுதிகள் நீண்ட காலம் மதுரை நாயக்கர்களின்

கட்டுப்பாடில் இருந்தது. பிற்பாடு 1768 இல் மதுரை-மைசூர் போரில் சேலம் ஹைதர் அலி கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்கு சென்றது. பின்பு 1799 இல் லார்டு க்லைவ் கைப்பற்றி சங்ககிரி துர்கத்தை தலைமை இடமாக

கொண்டு வெள்ளையர்கள் அரசாங்கம் சார்பில் நிர்வாகம் நடந்தது. ஆங்கிலேயர்களின் இராணுவ படைத்தளமாக சேலம் விளங்கிற்று. அவர்கள் கட்டிய கோட்டை இங்குள்ளது, கோட்டைப்பகுதி தற்போது
நகரின் மைய பகுதியாக உள்ளது.

சி.வி. ராஜகோபாலசாரியார், சி. விஜயராகவாச்சாரி, ராமசாமி உடையார் ஆகியோர் இம்மாநகரத்தை சேர்ந்தவர்கள்.

வேடந்தாங்கல் என்றால் வேடர்களின் கிராமம்’ வேடந்தாங்கல் சரணாலயத்துக்கு அழகான வரலாற்று பின்னணி

         


              இந்த சரணாலயத்துக்கு சுவாரஸ்யமான வரலாற்று பின்னணியும் உண்டு. இங்கு, 400 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்னிலிருந்தே பல்வேறு நாடுகளில் இருந்து பறவைகள் வந்து சென்றுள்ளன. 1700ம் ஆண்டுகளில் கிராம உள்ளூர் பண்ணையார்கள் பறவைகளை வேட்டையாடும் இடமாக இது இருந்துள்ளது. அவர்களைத் தொடர்ந்து, 18ம் நூற்றாண்டில் ஆங்கிலேயர்கள் வேட்டையாடி பொழுதை கழிக்க வேடந்தாங்கலை பயன்படுத்திக் கொண்டனர். இந்நிலையில், 1936ம் ஆண்டு உள்ளூர் விவசாயிகளின் வேண்டுகோளுக்கு இணங்க செங்கல்பட்டு கலெக்டராக இருந்த ப்ளேஸ், வேடந்தாங்கலை பறவைகள் சரணாலயமாக அறிவித்து அரசாணை பிறப்பிக்கப்பட்டது. 1962ல் இது வனத்துறையின் கட்டுப்பாட்டில் வந்தது. வேடந்தாங்கல் என்றால் வேடர்களின் கிராமம்’ என்று அர்த்தம்.

கிராம மக்களின் தியாகம்

இங்கு பறவைகள் வந்து செல்வதால் அவற்றின் எச்சம் நீர்பரப்பு முழுவதும் நிரம்பி காணப்படுகிறது. இந்த நீரை விவசாயத்துக்கு பயன்படுத்துவதாலும், வயல்வெயிலில் பறவைகள் எச்சமிடுவதாலும் விளைச்சல் நன்றாக இருப்பதாக கூறுகின்றனர் இக்கிராமத்து விவசாயிகள். இதற்காக பறவைகளுக்கு எந்த தொந்தரவும் தராமல் வாழ்ந்து வருகின்றனர். பறவைகள் வெடி சத்தத்துக்கு பயப்படும் என்பதால் இந்த கிராமத்தினர் தீபாவளியன்று கூட பட்டாசு வெடிக்காமல் அந்த சந்தோஷத்தையும் தியாகம் செய்திருக்கிறார்கள்.

30 Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Neem For Skin, Hair And Health

Indian Lilac which is commonly known as neem has been an integral part of Ayurveda for the benefits associated with it. It is an herb that is commonly available, throughout the year and has benefits that only a few natural products can provide!  Neem has anti- bacterial; anti- parasitic, anti- fungal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that not only benefit your health but can help you get rid of common beauty problems that you face in your daily life. So read more about the uses of neem tree to know how you can use this miraculous herb in your daily beauty regime.

A. Benefits Of Neem For Skin:

Neem benefits include Vitamin C, which helps in getting rid of skin problems like blackheads, pigmentation, dullness and ageing thus leaving the skin with a youthful glow.
Here are some ways in which you can use neem to get that glowing skin you have always wanted:
1. Clears Acne & Dark Pigmentation:
Boil a concoction of about 20 neem leaves in half litre of water till the leaves are soft and discoloured, and the water turns green. Strain and store in a bottle. Use this liquid as a skin toner by just dipping a cotton-ball into it and wiping your face with it every night. Regular usage will help in clearing acne, scars, pigmentation and blackheads.

2.  Prevents Recurrence of Blackheads:
In case you have a very sensitive skin and suffering from blackheads, dilute neem oil with water and apply it over the blackheads. Make sure that that you don’t use more than 2-3 drops of neem oil. Applying this regularly will help you in getting rid of blackheads and also prevent them from coming back.

3. Treats Skin Infection:
To get rid skin infection, prepare the concoction as mentioned above and add about 100 ml of it to your bathing water.

4. Prevents Acne Breakouts:
To get rid of acne, take about 10 neem leaves, boil them with small segments of orange peel in a little water. When they become a little soft, let them cook a little and then pound them into a pulp. Apply this to your face and let it sit till it starts drying after which you can rinse with cold water. This face pack will help in clearing acne and prevent breakouts. It also helps in getting rid of whiteheads and blackheads.
In case you have very dry skin, you can add a little honey and yogurt to this pack.

5. Turns Skin Clear:
Another effective remedy for acne and pimples using neem is to make a paste of neem leaves and turmeric and use it twice a week. Regular usage gives you clear and flawless skin. You can also add some grated cucumber to it as well.

6. Treats Pimples:
Just like neem, Tulsi is another herb that is known to have many benefits on the skin. Grind together a few neem leaves with a handful of Tulsi leaves or you can use powder form of both if they are available to you. Mix it with rose water to form a paste and apply it to naturally treat pimples.

7. Controls Excess Oils:
For oily skin beauties who are looking for some sebum control can make a paste by mixing neem powder with lemon juice and a little bit of yogurt. This will not only prevent help in controlling the excess oil but also prevent acne and infections that are common problems associated with this skin type.

8. Adds Glow to the Skin:
For getting a glowing skin with clear complexion, mix neem powder with rose petal powder, yogurt and a little milk to make a smooth paste. Apply it and let it rest for 15 minutes and rinse with water that is mixed with 2-3 tbsp. of rose water.
You can also add fuller’s earth or gram flour to this pack to make it into a scrub.

9. Lightens Skin Pigmentation:
To get rid of pigmentation and blemishes on the skin, mix neem powder, with Tulsi powder, sandalwood powder and rose water to make a fine paste. Apply the paste on your face and let it dry before you wash it off with cold water. Regular usage will help in lightening the blemishes.

10. Treats Skin Dryness:
Not many people know about moisturizing properties of neem but nonetheless, neem helps in getting rid of dryness of skin without making to oily thus giving a very balanced effect. Mix neem powder with some water and few drops of grape seed oil and apply it to your face.

11. Delays Signs of Skin Ageing:
Neem contains immune-stimulating compounds and regenerative properties that help the skin to fight pathogens below the skin surface thus keeping the skin remain supple. Applying neem oil on your face or adding neem powder to your face packs helps in soothing the skin and reducing the effects of aging.

12. Treats Skin Allergies & Infections:
Neem has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help in soothing the skin in case you are suffering from some skin allergy or infection. Boil the neem leaves & apply the water on the allergy after refrigerating it so that it cools down.

13. Heals Psoriasis:
Psoriasis is a skin disease that is not only painful but also leaves your skin looking as its burnt. The most common problem associated with this disease is dryness and scaling. Neem oil helps in getting rid of itchiness and irritation. It also helps in keeping the skin moisturised thus reducing the dryness and scaling. The anti- bacterial properties also prevents development of any further skin infections.

B. Benefits Of Neem For Hair:

Every girl dreams of having long, shinning and healthy hair just like Rapunzel. It doesn’t matter whether you are born with healthy hair or with an unruly mane, it is important to take care of those tresses.  Neem is a magical herb that not only helps to treat skin problems but also scalp and hair problems that to effectively and safely. If you are tired of using chemical laden hair products that make big promises but disappoint you when it comes to results then stop looking and just read on to find out about some simple DIY with neem that will prove miraculous for your hair.

14. Treats Dandruff & Hair Fall:
To reduce hair fall and to get rid of dandruff, boil a handful of neem leaves in 2 cups of water till the leaves changes colour and the water becomes greenish. Use this water as the last rinse after you shampoo your hair. The anti-septic and anti-bacterial properties of neem help in getting rid of dandruff keeping your scalp healthy and help in stimulating hair growth.

15. Reduces Scalp Itchiness:
To tackle the problem of dandruff and itchy scalp you can also apply a paste of neem powder and water and let it sit for an hour followed by your regular shampoo and conditioning

16. Enhances Hair Growth Rate:
As I have already mentioned, neem has regenerative properties which help in reducing hair fall. An oil massage to the scalp using neem oil can increase blood circulation in the scalp and help in enhancing rate of hair growth.
You can mix it with any of your favourite carrier oils (olive, almond, coconut, jojoba etc) as well.

17. Conditions Hair:
Just like neem can be used to moisturize dry skin, it can also be used as a natural conditioner for dry and fizzy hair. Just make a paste of neem leaves boiled in water & honey, & apply it to the hair followed by regular hair wash, and your dry and untamed tresses to be well-conditioned, dandruff free and without frizz.

18. Treats All Scalp Related Problems:
Another hair mask that will help you deep condition your hair can be made by mixing neem powder with amla powder, shikakai powder and reetha powder with water and lemon juice. Apply this to your hair and let it sit for 30 minutes before you wash it off with your regular shampoo. The ingredients of the pack will help in keeping scalp problems at bay while retaining the moisture in the hair and preventing dryness.

19. Keeps Scalp Healthy:
If you apply Henna on your hair regularly, just add 2 tbsp. of neem powder with Henna powder, 1 tbsp. of yogurt, lemon, black tea and 1 tbsp. of coffee. The Henna will help in moisturising your hair while the neem will keep your scalp healthy.

C. Health Benefits of Neem:

20. Anti-Bacterial Properties:
Chicken pox Serious diseases like chicken pox and small pox have seen treated with neem tree paste. Spread neem leaves around patients and make him sleep over it for its soothing and anti-bacterial properties. It also cures people suffering from herpes and hepatitis B viruses.

21. Contraceptive:
They are used for birth control and abortions. In olden days, cotton soaked in neem seed oil was used as a contraceptive.

22. Pesticide/ insecticide:
Neem oil is used in the preparation of pesticides and insecticide. In one litre of water, add liquid soap, neem oil and stir the solution. This solution is now ready to get rid of insects. This natural oil doesn’t kill bugs like insecticides, but instead repel them away

Source: Shutterstock

23.  Cures Asthma:
Take a few drops of neem oil – 3 drops to start with, at the centre of the tongue and swallow. Increase the dosage of intake gradually – say 4 drops in the second week. 5 drops in the 3rd week and go upto one tea spoon within six months.
Asthma can be completely cured by this method. This also helps in controlling phlegm, wheezing, cough, and breathing.

24. Heals Ulcers:
Neem bark extract has been found to be a curative for peptic ulcer disease. The bark extract when taken twice daily for 10 weeks almost completely heals ulcers.

25. Controls Diabetes:
Neem contains chemicals that help reduce blood sugar levels. This herb has shown great evidence in naturally reducing the symptoms of diabetes. Neem acts as an insulin after being digested by the body.

26. Treats Mouth & Tooth Problems:
People in the villages chew neem twigs instead of using toothbrushes. This helps in treating mouth and tooth problems.

D. Misc Benefits Of Neem:

Beauty benefits of neem are not just limited to your skin and hair. Neem helps in solving a lot of other issues that we face as well.
Here are some more ways in which you can use neem:

27. Perfect Solution for Dark Eye Circles:
Looking like a panda because of those dark circles around your eyes. Well as neem helps in reducing pigmentation as well as acts as a moisturising agent, it is the perfect solution to this problem. Just make a paste of water and neem powder and apply it around the eyes. Wash it off after 15 minutes. Do this every day to see the difference.

28. Gives Shiny Teeth on Brushing with Twigs:
We all know that a beautiful smile is a girl’s best accessory. To make that smile even more special, use neem twigs to brush your teeth. This is an age old remedy that will not only leave your teeth shiny and white but will also keep dental problems like cavity, plaque and bad breath at bay.

29. Enhances Blood Circulation & Regulates Hormonal Levels:
No amount of makeup can give you the natural glow that is a sign of a healthy skin. To get that glow it is important that you are healthy from within. Neem is known since the ancient times for cleansing the blood and the body. Regular consumption of neem leaves helps in enhancing blood circulation as well as preventing hormonal imbalance that are a major reason behind some skin and hair problems.
Consume 2-3 neem leaves mixed with some honey on empty stomach every day and you will see the changes for yourself.
Make sure you don’t try to consume the concoction that you make by boiling neem leaves in water as the leaves tend to leave behind a pungent smell after they are boiled which would make it difficult for you to consume the liquid.

30. Treats All Kinds of Nail Problems:
If you are suffering from common nail problems like splintering and peeling of nails than neem oil is the solution for you. Neem oil helps in making your nails strong, thus preventing them from peeling or brittle. These problems might occur due to some nail infection that you suffering from. Neem oil will help you to tackle that as well. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of neem help you to get rid of infection keeping your nails healthy

Tamilnadu Postal Circle Recruitment 2014

Tamilnadu Postal Circle Recruitment 2014 – Apply Online for 1250 Vacancies

Tamil Nadu Postal Circle PA/ SA Vacancies.
Tamil Nadu Multi Tasking Staff Vacancies.

Tamil Nadu Postal Circle Recruitment 2014 – Apply Online for 1023 Postal Asst and Sorting Asst Vacancies: Yet another India Post Recruitment has been announced. Are you searching for Tamil Nadu Postal Circle office Vacancies? Tamil Nadu Postal Circle Department, Government of India has issued a recruitment notification for the recruitment of PA & SA posts. Online applications are invited for filling up 1023 Postal Assistants/ Sorting Assistants/ Postal Assistants (Savings Bank Control Organization)/ Postal Assistants (Mail Motor Services) and Postal Assistants (Circle and Regional Officers) vacancies in 45 divisions/ units. Eligible and interested candidates may apply through online mode before 27th March 2014. Further details like age limit, educational qualification, Application fee, how to apply, selection process and online application form are given below…

Tamil Nadu Postal Circle Vacancy Details

Organization Name: Tamil Nadu Postal Circle

Total Number of Vacancies: 1023 Posts

Name of the Posts:

1. Postal Assistant: 641 posts
2. Sorting Assistant: 237 posts
3. Postal Assistant in Savings Bank Control Organization (PASBCO): 74 posts
4. Postal Assistant in Circle Office: 52 posts
5. Postal Assistant Mail Motor Service: 06 posts
6. Postal Assistant (PARLO): 04 posts

                                                                                

Eligibility Criteria:

Age Limit: Candidates age should be between 18 years to 27 years as on 27-03-2014. Age relaxation is applicable as per the Government rules and regulation.

Educational Qualifications: Candidates must have passed Intermediate/ 10+2 standard or 12th class pass from any recognized university or Board of School Education or Board of Secondary Education with English as a compulsory subject (excluding vocational streams). The aspirants must have studied local language of the State or Union Territory of the concerned Postal Circle or in Hindi as a subject at least in Matriculation level or equivalent examination.

Application Fee: General candidates are required to pay Rs. 400/- as examination fee at the nearest e-payment Post Offices in the form of Cash (INR) only through the Fee Payment challan printed form the website. SC/ ST/ Physically Impaired/ Woman candidates are exempted from paying examination fee.

Pay Scale: Rs. 5200 - Rs. 20,200 + Grade Pay of Rs. 2400/-.

Selection Process: Selections of candidates will be made on the basis of their marks obtained in written examination and interview.

Online Application Form: All those candidates who wish to apply for Postal Assistant (PA) and Sorting Assistant (SA) Posts in Tamil Nadu Postal Circle, they are required to apply through online mode on its official website at www.pasadrexam2014.in on or from 26th February to 27th March 2014.

How to Apply Online: Before start applying online, make sure candidates have valid e-Mail ID, scanned copy of photographs, signature.  

• Log on to official website at www.pasadrexam2014.in.
• Read the instructions carefully mentioned over there.
• Now click on Apply Online link.
• Fill all the marked details and submit your application form.
• After successful submission, Registration number and Password will be generated.
• Using the Registration number, login the website and take printout of the Fee Payment Challan.
• Applicants can check their payment status after 3 working days after payment of the fees.
• After successful registration, take printout of the application form.
• At last, take print out of application form and retain it for further use.

Important Dates:

Starting Date for Submission of Online Application: 26-02-2014

Last Date for Submission of Online Application: 27-03-2014

More Details: Candidates are strongly advised to read official recruitment notification for detailed information about Tamil Nadu Postal Circle Recruitment 2014 for Postal Assistant Recruitment & Sorting Assistant Recruitment (PA/SA Posts) regarding age limit, educational qualifications, last date, pay scale, how to apply and online application form. 

Click here for Recruitment Notification.

Click here to Apply Online.
Click here for full list of India Post Department Recruitment 2014.

விண்வெளியில் ஆறு போல் ஓடும் ஹைட்ரஜன் கண்டுபிடிப்பு

 
      
       வானியல் ஆராய்ச்சியாளர்கள், பூமியில் இருந்து 22 மில்லியன் ஒளி ஆண்டுகள் தூரத்தில் முன் எப்போதும் பார்த்திராத விண்வெளி வழியாக பாயும் ஹைட்ரஜன் ஆறு கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது என்று கூறியுள்ளனர். அமெரிக்காவின் மேற்கு விர்ஜினீயா பல்கலை கழகத்தின் விண்வெளி விஞ்ஞானி டி.ஜெ.பி. பிகானோ தலைமையிலான குழுவினர் ஒன்று ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டுள்ளது.

     அந்த ஆய்வில் விண்வெளியில் ஹைட்ரஜன் ஆறு போன்று ஓடுவதை கண்டுபிடித்துள்ளனர். அது மிகவும் மங்கலாக, மெலிதாக பரவி ஓடுகிறது. இது விண்வெளியின் பால் மண்டலத்தில் என்.ஜி.சி. 6946 என்ற விண்மீன் கூட்டத்துக்குள் ஊடுருவி பாய்கிறது. இவையே விண்மீன் கூட்டங்களை ஒன்றிணைத்து புதிய நட்சத்திரத்தை உருவாக்குகிறது என ஆராய்ச்சியாளர்கள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்

Top 10 health benefits of tulsi

 

Tulsi also known as basil leaves, is a fairly common plant in Indian households. Considered holy by many religions, the tulsi plant is revered for its divine properties.

Besides praying to the plant, a number of people advice including the leaves and roots of the plant in various medical decoctions.
With immense benefits right from clear skin to dissolving kidney stones, tulsi is tonic for the entire body. Here are the top 10 benefits of tulsi.

Cures a fever: Tulsi has very potent germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-biotic properties that are great for resolving fevers. It has the potential to cure any fever right from those caused due to common infections to those caused due to malaria as well. In ayurveda, it is strongly advised that a person suffering from fever should have a decoction made of tulsi leaves. In case of a fever boil a few leaves of tulsi with powdered cardamom in half a litre of water( The proportion of tulsi to cardamom powder should be in the ratio 1:0.3). Let it reduce to half its total volume. Mix this decoction with sugar and milk. Sip every two to three hours. This remedy is especially good for children.

Beats diabetes: leaves of holy basil are packed with antioxidants and essential oils that produce eugenol, methyl eugenol and caryophyllene.  Collectively these substances help the pancreatic beta cells (cells that store and release insulin) function properly. This in turn helps increase sensitivity to insulin. Lowering one’s blood sugar and treating diabetes effectively. An added advantage is that the antioxidants present in the leaves help beat the ill effects of oxidative stress.

Protects the heart: Tulsi has a powerful anti-oxidant component called Eugenol. This compound helps protect the heart by keeping one’s blood pressure under control and lowering his/her cholesterol levels. Chewing a few leaves of tulsi on an empty stomach everyday can both prevent and protect any heart ailments.

Beats stress: According to a study conducted by the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India, tulsi helps to maintain the normal levels of the stress hormone – cortisol in the body.  The leaf also has powerful adaptogen properties (also known as anti-stress agents). It helps sooth the nerves, regulates blood circulation and beats free radicals that are produced during an episode of stress. People who have high stress jobs can chew about 12 leaves of tulsi twice a day to beat stress naturally.

Dissolves kidney stones: The holy basil being a great diuretic and detoxifier is great for the kidneys. Tulsi helps reduce the uric acid levels in the blood (one of the main reasons for kidney stones is the presence of excess uric acid in the blood), helps cleanse the kidneys, the presence of acetic acid and other components in its essential oils helps in breaking down kidney stones and its painkiller effect helps dull down the pain of kidney stones. To relieve kidney stones one must have the juice of tulsi leaves with honey, every day for six months to help wash out the stone from the kidney.

Beats cancer: With strong anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties tulsi has been found to help stop the progression of breast cancer and oral cancer (caused due to chewing tobacco). This is because its compounds restrict the flow of blood to the tumour by attacking the blood vessels supplying it. Have the extract of tulsi every day to keep these conditions at bay.

Helps to quit smoking: Tulsi is known to have very strong anti- stress compounds and is great to help one quit smoking. It helps by lowering the stress that may be involved in trying to quit smoking, or stress that leads to the urge to smoke. It also has a cooling effect on the throat just like menthol drops and helps control the urge to smoke by allowing the person to chew on something. Ayurveda relies heavily on tulsi leaves as a smoking cessation device. Keep some leaves with you and chew it whenever the urge to smoke arises. Another plus is that the antioxidant property of the leaves will help fight all the damage that arises out of years of smoking.

Keeps your skin and hair healthy and glowing: The holy basil has powerful purifying properties. When eaten raw, it purifies the blood giving the skin a beautiful glow, and prevents the appearance of acne and blemishes. Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties are very effective in preventing breakouts on acne prone skin. Ayurvedic doctors say that this herb can cure difficult skin conditions like those caused due to ring worms and even leucoderma. Apart from all this, it helps in reducing itchiness of the scalp and helps to reduce hair fall. Mix the powder in coconut oil and apply regularly to the scalp to prevent hair fall. Eating tulsi leaves, drinking the juice, or adding its paste to a face pack can help cure skin and hair conditions.

Heals respiratory conditions: Tulsi has immunomodulatory (helps to modulate the immune system), antitussive (suppresses the cough center, reducing the amount of cough) and expectorant properties (helps expel phlegm from the chest), that make it a great relief for coughs, cold, and other respiratory disorders including chronic and acute bronchitis. Another great property of this leaf is that it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help to beat the infection causing the respiratory problem. It also relieves congestion since it contains potent components like camphene, eugenol and cineole in its essential oils. Its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties also help to treat allergic respiratory disorders.

Cures a headache: Tulsi helps to relieve headaches caused due to sinusitis, allergies, cold or even migraines. This is because it has pain relieving and decongestant properties,  that help relieve the pain and resolve the root cause of the condition. If you are suffering from a headache, make a bowl of water that has been boiled with crushed tulsi leaves or tulsi extract. Cool the water till it is room temperature or bearably hot. Place a small towel in it, wring out the excess water and place this on your forehead to treat a headache. Alternatively you could dip a towel in plain warm water and add a few drops of tulsi extract to the towel for immediate relief. 
These are just some benefits of the plant, other benefits include treatment for common colds, itchiness of the skin, treatment for insect bites, curing common conditions of the eye and as a herbal remedy for bad breath. So the text time you feel ill, try having a few leaves of tulsi. To know more about the health benefits of various everyday ingredients, check out our natural remedies page

86th OSCAR Academy Awards winners

Best Picture	12 Years a Slave
Best Actor in a Leading Role	Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)
Best Actress in a Leading Role	Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role	Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role	Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)
Best Animated Feature	Frozen (Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, Peter Del Vecho)
Best Cinematography	Gravity (Emmanuel Lubezki)
Best Costume Design	The Great Gatsby (Catherine Martin)
Best Directing	Gravity (Alfonso Cuarón)
Best Documentary Feature	20 Feet from Stardom (Morgan Neville, Gil Friesen, Caitrin Rogers)
Best Documentary Short	The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life (Malcolm Clarke, Nicholas Reed)
Best Film Editing	Gravity (Alfonso Cuarón, Mark Sanger)
Best Foreign Language Film	The Great Beauty (Italy)
Best Makeup and Hairstyling	Dallas Buyers Club (Adruitha Lee, Robin Mathews)
Best Original Score	Gravity (Steven Price)
Best Original Song	Let It Go - Frozen
Best Production Design	The Great Gatsby (Catherine Martin, Beverley Dunn)
Best Animated Short Film	Mr. Hublot (Laurent Witz, Alexandre Espigares)
Best Live Action Short Film	Helium (Anders Walter, Kim Magnusson)
Best Sound Editing	Gravity (Glenn Freemantle)
Best Sound Mixing	Gravity (Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead, Chris Munro)
Best Visual Effects	Gravity (Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, Dave Shirk, Neil Corbould)
Best Adapted Screenplay	12 Years a Slave (John Ridley)
Best Original Screenplay	Her (Spike Jonze)

11 Intelligence Killing Foods You Need To Avoid

         When it comes to nutrition, it must be mentioned that there are all sorts of foods: some super-foods are your greatest allies against extra pounds, while others stimulate your cognitive function and improve your memory. On the other hand, some foods are known to have a devastating effect on your brain functioning, and nutritionists advise us to consume them moderately in order to limit their negative impact. Having said that, here are the top 11 foods that kill your intelligence, slowly but surely:

 

1. Sugary Products

Sugar and sugary products are bad not only for your waistline, but for your brain function as well. Long-term consumption of sugar can create a wealth of neurological problems, and it can also interfere with your memory. On the other hand, sugar can also interfere with your ability to learn, this is why it is recommended to avoid pre - baked goods, sugar, corn syrup and products that are high in fructose.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol is known to harm your liver in the long run, and it also causes what is known as “brain fog”. Like the name suggests, the term of brain fog refers to a feeling of mental confusion, it acts like a cloud that impacts your ability to think clearly, as well as your memory. Have you ever noticed that you cannot remember common item names, or you cannot recall certain events or you are not sure whether they were dreams or they actually happened? This might be influenced by the high alcohol intake which impacts the balance of the brain. Fortunately, these symptoms are reversible provided that you stop consuming alcohol, or you limit your intake to one or two drinks per week.

3. Junk Food

A recent study that was performed at the University of Montreal has revealed that junk food can change the chemicals in the brains, thus leading to symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. Besides, foods that are high in fat can also trigger some symptoms that are similar to the signs of withdrawal when you stop consuming them. These foods affect the production of dopamine, an important chemical that promotes happiness and an overall feeling of well-being. Moreover, dopamine also supports the cognitive function, the learning capacity, alertness, motivation and memory. This is why it is important to avoid all foods that contain excessive fat.

4. Fried Foods

Almost all processed foods contain chemicals, dyes, additives, artificial flavors, preservatives and such – these can affect the behavior and the cognitive functioning due to the chemical that causes hyperactivity, both in children and in adults. Fried or processed foods slowly destroy the nerve cells located in the brain. However, some oils are more dangerous than others – sunflower oil is considered to be among the most toxic ones.

5. Processed Or Pre-Cooked Foods

Just like fried foods, processed or pre-cooked foods also impact your central nervous system and they also increase the risk of developing a degenerative brain disorder later in live (such as Alzheimer’s disease).

6. Very Salty Foods

Everybody knows that salty foods affect your blood pressure and they are very hard on your heart. However, as research suggests, foods that contain high amounts of salt (sodium) can affect your cognitive function and impair your ability to think. Otherwise stated, salty foods affect your intelligence!

As a matter of fact, the consumption of salty foods and nicotine have been shown to have the same effects as drugs, as they cause harsh withdrawal symptoms and cravings for salty foods.

7. Grains, Except 100% Whole Grain

All sorts of grains have an impact on your brain functioning and your overall health, except for 100% whole grain which is very rich and fiber and it is known to prevent arterial aging. If you consume regular grains, your body risks to age quicker than it is supposed to and you can also experience memory loss and brain fog. Having said that, try swapping the regular crabs for the complex carbohydrates – all you need to do is to opt for whole grain bread!

8. Processed Proteins

Proteins are the building blocks of muscles and they are very important for the proper functioning of your body. Meat is the richest source of high-quality protein, but avoid overly processed protein such as hot dogs, salami, sausages and such. Unlike the natural proteins that help your body insulate the nervous system, processed proteins do exactly the opposite. Opt for natural fish (especially tuna and salmon), dairy, walnuts and seeds as these are natural, high-quality protein sources.

 9. Avoid Trans Fats At All Costs

Trans fats cause a series of problems, from heart-related issues to elevated cholesterol and obesity. However, they are bad for your brain as well, as they make your brain more sluggish, they affect your reflexes and the quality of your brain response – not to mention that they increase the risk of stroke!

Trans fats can also have other effects on your brain: if consumed for too long, they can result in a sort of brain shrinkage that is somewhat similar to the shrinkage caused by Alzheimer’s disease. This brain shrinkage takes place due to the fact that trans fats slowly damage the arteries – you can prevent this and lower the stroke risk by simply limiting your intake of trans fats.

10. Artificial Sweeteners

When people try to lose weight, they tend to think that they will become slim overnight by simply replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners. It is true that artificial sweeteners do contain less calories, but they can actually do more harm than good! If used for an extended period of time, artificial sweeteners can cause brain damage and interfere with your cognitive capacity, especially if you use high amounts of sweetener.

11. Nicotine

Despite the fact that nicotine is not really a food product, it still wreaks havoc on your brain by restricting the blood flow to this important organ, along with the regular flow of glucose and oxygen. Nicotine not only causes premature aging, bad breath and poses an increased risk for lung cancer, but it also affects the production and the function of neurotransmitters by tightening the capillaries, the tiny blood vessels that play a pivotal role when it comes to your brain function.

New BBM app offers free call facility for Android, iPhone users

    BlackBerry has started rolling out a new version of its popular instant messaging app BBM, which allows Android and iPhone users to make free voice calls to other BBM contacts.

BBM users on Android and iPhone will now be able to make free voice calls to BBM contacts over a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection with BBM Voice, as well as access BBM Channels, a broadcast service, BlackBerry said in a statement.

The free voice call feature is already available for Blackberry handset users.

NASA announces 715 newly discovered planets

      


         

     The Earth’s galaxy is looking far more crowded. NASA has confirmed 715 newly discovered planets outside the solar system.

Douglas Hudgins, NASA’s exoplanet exploration program scientist, called Wednesday’s announcement a major step toward the planet-hunting Kepler telescope’s ultimate goal — “finding Earth 2.0.”

It’s also a big step in “the possibility of life elsewhere,” said Lisa Kaltenegger, a Harvard and Max Planck Institute astronomer who wasn’t part of the discovery team.

Scientists using the Kepler telescope pushed the number of planets discovered in the galaxy to about 1,700. Twenty years ago, astronomers had not found any planets circling stars other than the ones revolving around the sun.

“We almost doubled just today the number of planets known to humanity,” NASA planetary scientist Jack Lissauer said in a teleconference.

Astronomers used a new confirmation technique to come up with the largest single announcement of a batch of exoplanets what planets outside our solar system are called.

Wednesday’s announcements also were about implications for life behind those big numbers.

All the new planets are in systems like ours where multiple planets circle a star. The 715 planets came from looking at just 305 stars. They were nearly all in size closer to Earth than gigantic Jupiter.

And four of those new exoplanets orbit their stars in “habitable zones” where it is not too hot or not too cold for liquid water which is crucial for life to exist.

The four new habitable zone planets are all at least twice as big as Earth so that makes them more likely to be gas planets instead of rocky ones like Earth and less likely to harbour life.

So far Kepler has found nine exoplanets in the habitable zone, NASA said. Astronomers expect to find more when they look at all four years of data collected by the now-crippled Kepler; so far they have looked at two years.

Planets in the habitable zone are likely to be farther out from their stars because it is hot close in. And planets farther out take more time orbiting, so Kepler has to wait longer to see it again.

Another of Kepler’s latest discoveries indicates that “small planets are extremely common in our galaxy,” said MIT astronomer Sara Seagar, who wasn’t part of the discovery team. “Nature wants to make small planets.”

And, in general, smaller planets are more likely to be able to harbour life than big ones

நாளை ஆஸ்கார் விருது வழங்கும் விழா

      லாஸ் ஏஞ்சல்ஸ் : 86வது ஆஸ்கார் விருது வழங்கும் விழா அமெரிக்காவின் லாஸ் ஏஞ்சல்ஸ் நகரில் உள்ள டோல்பை தியேட்டரில் நாளை (மார்ச் 02) நடைபெற உள்ளது. இந்திய நேரப்படி நள்ளிரவு 12 மணிக்கு இந்த விழா நடைபெற உள்ளது.